3 Ways to Recycle Plastic Waste

Plastic is found it almost everything these days—your car, phone, food, and office supplies. It’s no wonder that plastic waste has become such a serious ecological issue.

Increased use of plastic is taking a toll on the environment. In the United States alone, 33 million tons of plastic waste is generated and only 7 percent is recycled. Instead of being recycled, plastic ends up on beaches, in rivers, forests, and landfills.

Both the production of plastic and its destruction by incineration, pollutes air, land, and water; and it exposes workers to toxic chemicals.

Fortunately, by recycling you can reduce your impact on the environment.

1. Take it to a Recycling Center

One way to recycle plastic waste is to take it directly to a local recycling center. If you live in the Atlanta area, AmeriSouth Recycling welcomes your recyclable plastics.

We get your post-consumer plastic to manufacturers to be reused. This cuts back on the amount of new plastic produced, thereby decreasing the amount harmful effects caused by the production of new plastic.

Consider this: it takes two-thirds less energy to make products from recycled plastic than it does to use virgin materials. When one ton of plastic bottles is recycled, almost four barrels of oil are saved.

2. Get Crafty and Re-purpose

For those with a creative flair, re-purposing household plastic can be fun. Using the fluted bottom from soda bottles, with a little hardware from the home-supply store, you can make an attractive tiered jewelry holder.

There is no end to the number of crafts you can make with the plastic waste in your home. Each craft represents your creativity and one less thing that will end up as non-decaying refuge in a landfill.

3. Reuse

Once containers are empty, there are several ways to re-purpose them. Turn coffee creamer containers into easy-pour snack storage. Cut a soda bottle in half, apply masking or painter’s tape to the cut edge and voila you have a handy Crayon or pencil holder. Remove the cap from the top half of the bottle and you have a funnel.

Reuse plastic bags when you garden. Cover your herbs with the clear plastic produce bags you get from the grocery store—instant mini greenhouse. Cut the bottom off a couple of zipper bags, then slid the bags up your legs to protect your knees from getting dirty when weeding the garden.

Keep plastic grocery bags in your car during the winter. Slip your feet into bags before getting into the car to keep out mud and slush. Cover your side mirrors and tie in place with the handles to keep snow and ice from accumulating on them.

An internet search for ways to re-purpose plastic results in a long list of great ideas for ways to use the plastic that comes into your home and minimize the amount of plastic that ends up in our environment.

Use the comments below to tell us how you reuse your plastic waste.

Reduce Plastic Waste and help our environment

If you are confused about how to reduce your plastic waste and aren’t sure on what can and can’t be recycled, we are here to help you. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation to learn more about our consulting services.